Thrift, vintage shops that are hidden within other places

Thrift, vintage and secondhand shopping have all gone mainstream, fueled by sustainability, one-of-a-kind finds and budget-friendly prices.

Which is why Long Islanders are always on the lookout for fresh destinations. Some stores may fly under the radar thanks to locations or names that don’t spell out that they’re vintage or thrift.

"Some hidden gems may be right in your backyard," says Amityville-based Alison Bossert, whose YouTube channel, "Long Island Thrifter," covers this retail turf. "You have to know where to look."

Diligence comes in handy, too. "I always tell people that whenever they go to these stores to look up and down and walk around 10 times," she tells Newsday. "You’re going to see new things every time you walk in."

Follow our guide to shops you may have overlooked — or need to revisit.

Wilson’s Dry Dock, Glen Cove

"Cool old stuff inside," reads a sign on a surfboard outside the store that’s tucked inside Safe Harbor marina and named after Wilson’s Garage in "The Great Gatsby."

That cool stuff includes vintage Ralph Lauren apparel, old Grateful Dead concert shirts, antiques, nautical decor and models, plus artwork. Prices range from under $35 to $500 and up.

Eric McCarthy, 60, who’s worked in real estate and hospitality, took over the store four years ago. He finds items through personal and professional networks. "People walk in," he says, "and they’re absolutely floored by what's inside."

North Fork Parish Outreach, Southold

The volunteer-staffed thrift store, like its sister food pantry, is run by the North Fork Parish Outreach. Shop sales support the organization’s efforts to help individuals and families in need.

Donated merchandise includes clothing, vintage records, homewares, sterling silver, jewelry and decorative lighthouses. Bossert found a vintage aluminum Moet Chandon Champagne bucket for $5.

"Even though we’re right on the main road, somehow people can miss us," says parish outreach director Maria Fedele. "Newcomers often say, ‘You have so many treasures in here.’ ”

Hope Springs Eternal Second Chance Boutique, Port Jefferson Station

"We call this our store of treasures," says shop volunteer Margaret Bell, 82. Sales benefit Hope House’s various efforts, including addiction recovery.

Ever-changing donated merchandise includes furniture, housewares, clothing, instruments, shoes, lamps, glassware, antiques and artwork. Some books sell for $1. An antique hand-crank record player went for around $250.

"They do such a great job in curating the shop," Bossert says. "There’s a bit of set design happening here."

The Andy Foundation Yard Sale Shop, Garden City Park

Jill Palmeri created the Andy Foundation in 2004 to help kids in honor of her son, Andrew, who was 11 when he was fatally hit by a car.

Expanding from its yard-sale beginnings, the shop carries knickknacks, furniture, art, jewelry, glassware and Swarovski crystals. Prices range from $2 to several hundred dollars. Proceeds benefit the foundation.

"Twenty years later, people are still surprised at the store," says Palmeri, 71, who sells real estate. "You can’t tell how big the store is from the outside."

Nor can customers predict what’s inside on any given visit. Bossert scored a 1940s Red Wing Pottery cookie jar. "It’s a fabulous high-end find," she says.

The Church Attic, Amityville

The shop, in association with the First United Methodist Church, has run for 52 years. It carries a wide range of donated items including home goods, clothing, jewelry and furniture.

"Some items are free. We also have some really beautiful things that might be around $100," says Melissa Kennedy, who helps head up the store.

A display area is designed around seasonal and monthly specials. "Red, White and Blue" is the theme for July, with 50% discounts on color-coded items. Proceeds support the church and other charities.

Long Island Trading Post, Bellmore

"The store has everything — furniture, collectibles, chandeliers, accessories, and jewelry, everything you can imagine," Bossert says. One of the favorite items she found here: a $10 leather tote bag she used for two years before reselling it.

Profits support Long Island Family and Eldercare initiatives and services, and the store operates on a volunteer basis, says Bob Newman, who helps run the organization.

"Everything in the store is for sale, unless you need it and you can't afford it, then it's free. As long as it’s fair, we’re happy to say if we don't put prices on anything," says Newman, who works in real estate. "I trade people sometimes for random acts of kindness instead of money. There’s nothing typical about us."

Eastern Long Island Opportunity Shop, Greenport

Nicknamed the Op Shop, the store has been in business for 62 years. Eastern Long Island Hospital was renamed Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital in 2019 but the store name predates that shift. Shop sales support the hospital.

Merchandise includes gently used clothes, household items, furniture, books and gifts, all sourced through donations. Prices range from $1 to around $100 and up for designer items. Six years ago, the store began selling consignment items.

"Thrifting is very much in vogue," says the shop's auxiliary president, Helene Fall. "A lot of people are very much into it and have been discovering us."

Bossert purchased a pair of 1960s ginger jar lamps for $20 and had them rewired. "They’re keepers," she says.